The members of the Security Council applaud the agreements reached by the Presidents of Sudan and South Sudan in Addis Ababa 27 September. The members of the Council warmly congratulate the leaders and negotiators on both sides for demonstrating courageous leadership to find durable solutions to the challenging disputes that divided them. These agreements represent a major breakthrough for the establishment of peace, stability and prosperity in both Sudan and South Sudan and give cause for genuine hope that the peoples of these two countries will realize the fruits of lasting peace and friendship.

The members of the Security Council underline the critical importance of immediate and full implementation of the agreements reached between Sudan and South Sudan as well as the need for continued hard work by all relevant parties to resolve the details and outstanding issues that remain to be agreed. The members of the Council urge the rapid resolution by the parties of the issues of the final status of Abyei and disputed and claimed areas. The members of the Council look forward to President Mbeki’s recommendations on these matters after he reports to the African Union Peace and Security Council and to the report of the Secretary-General.

The members of the Security Council reiterate their grave concern about the rapidly worsening humanitarian situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States of Sudan. They once again strongly urge the Government of Sudan and the SPLM-N [Sudan People’s Liberation Movement — North] to fully and faithfully implement the memoranda of understanding and tripartite plan to expedite the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the affected civilian populations as rapidly as possible. They urge the parties to engage in direct talks to urgently agree to and implement a cessation of hostilities and create a conducive environment for further progress on political and security issues.

The members of the Security Council extend warm thanks and congratulations to former President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, former President Pierre Buyoya of Burundi, and former President Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar of Nigeria and the staff of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel, as well as United Nations Special Envoy Haile Menkerios and his support team for their creative and tireless work in mediating these agreements. They also gratefully acknowledge the central contributions of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and of the Ethiopian Government — in particular, that of the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and of new Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn — in assisting Sudan and South Sudan in reaching this outcome. The dedicated perseverance of all these contributors is a tribute to international and regional diplomacy and exemplifies the true spirit of peace enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

NEW YORK, October 1, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)